UK 'worse' for premature death

The UK has a worse record of premature death from many disease than a host of comparable countries, according to a major new health study published in the Lancet today.

The report compared the health of the UK with 14 other EU countries, as well as Australia, Canada, Norway and the United States.

The study found that in the twenty years between 1990 and 2010 the rate of premature death has hardly changed (in comparison with other, improving, health outcomes) for both men and women between 20-54 years. The number of premature deaths has actually increased for some disorders, including:

• Liver disease
• Drug-use disorders and alcohol

Compared with all other 18 countries, the UK does worse for premature death for most conditions, and its relative position has dropped since 1990. Across all ages the top causes of premature death are the same as 1990, apart from drug use disorders, which have increased nearly six-fold.

• Heart disease
• Lung cancer
• Stroke
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Lower respiratory infections
• Colorectal cancer
• Breast cancer
• Self-harm